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Trade fair retrospective: BAU Munich 2011 - Section 3

In January one of the world's major trade fairs for architecture, materials and systems took place in the halls of the new Munich trade fair site. In our two articles which have already appeared Architonic has provided you with an overview of the most interesting products, new developments and highlights of BAU 2011. We now round off our collection of reports with this third part of our look back at the exhibition, in which you can read among other things about luminescent concrete, surfaces with compound eyes and shimmering crystalline solar glass.

At the fair Pergo launched a new collection of vinyl flooring. The 19 decors are available in two different quality categories, one for conditions of standard wear and one for especially strenuous wear. Both classes are suitable for offices and public buildings. Pergo vinyl flooring has low emission values and can be used without restriction for interiors.

Pergo vinyl flooring "Black Leather"

For facades and other demanding external applications Trespa processes wood-based fibres at considerable pressure and extremely high temperatures with thermosetting resins to produce decorative laminated sheets. Because of the sealed, non-porous structure of the smooth surface it is not possible for dirt to adhere to the Trespa 'Meteon' panels, and their surface and edges do not need to be painted or provided with a protective coating. Any damaged elements can be simply replaced, and because the surface is colour fast and weather resistant there are no visible seams.

For facades and other demanding external applications Trespa processes wood-based fibres at considerable pressure and extremely high temperatures with thermosetting resins to produce decorative laminated sheets

RAK Ceramics was founded in 1989 under the management of H. H. Sheik Saud bin Saqr al Quasimi, crown prince and deputy ruler of the emirate Ras Al Khaimah. The company is now represented on all continents and exports to more than 135 countries. At BAU RAK presented among other things its large-scale tile series 'Ardesia', which features an imitation slate surface that generates an impressive natural stone atmosphere.

RAK stand at BAU 2011

'PURE SENSATION' is sized 25 x 70 cm and is a collection with attractive designs which are available with a high-gloss finish in white and with a matt finish in white, ivory, brown and black.

RAK tiles "Pure Sensation"

RAK "Ardesia" tiles with slate look

Eternit enables the seamless cladding of walls and facades, and a good example of this is the fjord-side residential complex in Vejle, Denmark, designed by Henning Larsen Architects. The Eternit 'Tonality' facade tiles are finished with a permanent anti-graffiti coating and are resistant to the effects of dirt, moss and algae. They are available in three types of finish – smooth, grooved and with pilaster strips – and in 17 colour shades.

Sika Construction supplies a wide spectrum of products for the requirements of modern design solutions. From sealing the base and roof of the building via cement technology to fire protection Sika can provide expertise in all areas and accompany the planning of the building in all aspects.

Okacell consists of solar cells embedded in a pane of laminated glass made of TVG or ESG (clear glass). Using varying types and numbers of cells combined with different colours OKACELL provides the widest possible scope for design creativity. Above all the multi-crystalline cells have a highly attractive surface structure and enable photovoltaic elements integrated into the building into an instrument of aesthetic enhancement.

Okacell consists of solar cells embedded in a pane of laminated glass made of TVG or ESG (clear glass). Okacell is available with varying types and numbers of cells combined with different colours

Varying numbers of cells allow variable light transmission factors

Detail of a solar cell embedded into Okacell

LUCEM®LICHTBETON is a form of concrete with integrated light-conducting fibres. The most common application for LUCEM®LICHTBETON is in the form of panels for the cladding of facades, facade sections or interior walls, as well as flooring panels.
LUCEM®LICHTBETON is weather and UV resistant and is available in grey, white and black.

LUCEM®LICHTBETON facade cladding

A new development is represented by LUCEM®LICHTBETON washstands made of durable concrete and vertically integrated light-conducting fibres. The invisibly integrated waterproof LED equipment enables the washstands to light up. The highly luminous and long-lasting LED lighting is available in cold and warm shades of light. The surface of the LUCEM®LICHTBETON washstands has a highly polished finish with natural stone look and is both extremely hard wearing and low maintenance. Dual impregnation also makes it water repellent. In addition to the standard colours of grey, white and black many more individual colours can be supplied.

LUCEM®LICHTBETON washstand

ALUCOBOND® panels are aluminium composite panels which feature a high degree of evenness, rigidity, low weight, excellent plasticity, weather-resistant properties and ease of processing. They are available in a wide range of colours and a highly diverse spectrum of versions.
3A Composites GmbH offers the new 'ALUCOBOND® natural sparkling' product, which provides a matt-gloss surface which gives an impressive effect of depth.
The specially processed aluminium surface has a shiny silky look, with a filigree structure which is reminiscent of the compound eye of an insect and generates fascinating light reflexes.

SEFAR® Architecture Vision consists of a range of six woven fabrics with a mesh of between 25% and 70%. The black plastic fibres are coated in an elaborate process with metals such as aluminium, copper, titanium and gold, or in an alloy of aluminium and copper.
The back of the fabric remains black, but on request the Vision fabric can be coated on both sides or even with different kinds of metal on the front and on the back.
When integrated in laminated glass the coated fabric makes the interior more opaque from the outside, and as a result achieves outstanding energy-saving results.

SEFAR® Architecture Vision Screen AL

SEFAR Architecture LightFrame is a translucent system which can be used as ceiling or wall elements, lamps or ceiling awnings.
The narrowest possible joins and an elliptically shaped rigid profile represent almost shadow-free uniform distribution of light. The modules are covered in two layers by a membrane and foil and in addition to being free of folds and dustproof they also have the effect of absorbing sound.

SEFAR Architecture LightFrame is a translucent system which can be used as ceiling or wall elements, lamps or ceiling awnings.

Sonogamma supplies visually interesting sound-absorbing materials which are produced in Japan. The porous acoustic panel 'Poal' consists of aluminium fibre which is compressed between two nets of expanded metal. The panels are easy to work and clean, resist damp and chlorine, are not flammable and can be recycled.
Filva-T is a transparent, sound-absorbing composite panel made of transparent acoustic foil stretched between two nets of expanded metal. It absorbs noise but allows the light to penetrate. The thin, flexible panels are washable, weatherproof, UV resistant and flameproof. Filva-T is suitable for all applications, both inside and outside.

Filva-T is a transparent, sound-absorbing composite panel made of transparent acoustic foil stretched between two nets of expanded metal.

The porous acoustic panel 'Poal' consists of aluminium fibre which is compressed between two nets of expanded metal

ClaroGlass hollow glass bricks are an excellent solution for creating spatial dividing elements without blocking out the light and meet high criteria with regard to fire protection, acoustics and security against break-ins. The wide selection of colours, designs and sizes make it an attractive design resource.

As part of the 'Textile Architektur' special exhibition Carl Stahl, the well-known manufacturer of stainless steel netting, presented X-LED, a combination of the X-TEND stainless steel netting and an LED system of lighting modules. This novel architectural design element enables media to be projected onto two-dimensional surfaces, turning them into three-dimensional bodies.

X-LED is a combination of the X-TEND stainless steel netting and an LED system of lighting modules

X-LED combines maximum transparency with best-quality video display

Alphamesh manufactures ring mesh and scale mesh which are suitable for applications in architecture, interior architecture and design.
The rings are made of stainless steel, bronze or a combination of stainless steel and bronze, the so-called 'bicolor', and in two ring diameters.
Alphamesh scale mesh is available in two different materials, brass or aluminium.

An impressive installation with alphamesh metal fabric has been created for daniel swarovski & co. in Wattens

An impressive installation with alphamesh metal fabric has been created for daniel swarovski & co. in Wattens. The reflection of the metal constantly creates new effects, while at night a light display is created by the use of special lighting equipment. With its approximately 26,250,000 linked rings the transparent curtain is currently the world's largest area of metal ring mesh in one piece.

Alphamesh manufactures scale mesh (left) and ring mesh (right)

With this third and final section we bring our series of reports on BAU 2011 to a close, because the next trade fair reports are already due – for example the Stockholm Furniture Fair recently took place from 8 to 12 February. Architonic was there and as always we will provide a report which will keep you up to date with all the new developments and trends in Scandinavian design.